The week in photos – May 25, 2023

Allingtown Volunteer Firefighter/EMT Sam Manuel has been prompted to lieutenant Lt. Manuel came to the Association more than a year ago. He has been a large part of volunteer recruiting and fundraising eff orts by getting University of New Haven students more heavily involved to become fulltime members. He has also participated greatly in the Association’s community eff orts in Santa toy deliveries and helping organize the Allingtown Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Manuel is Firefighter 1 and 2 certified as well as EMT-B, holds his Q endorsement and driving qualifications, along with advanced Incident Command Systems training. He graduated May 13 from UNH this month with a degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. He is from Warrenton, VA.

From left, Doug “the Rake” Ruickoldt and son Douglas J. Ruickoldt present a $10,000 check on behalf of the West Haven Breast Cancer Awareness Program to West Haven High School Principal Dana Paredes on May 4 to benefit the Susan A. Ruickoldt Scholarship Fund as program committee member Beth A. Sabo looks on.

St. Lawrence School listed its recipients for the May Student Recognition. Winners were selected for their accomplishments in school, including treatment of others, academic achievements, and attitude conveyed in the classroom. Parents and family members attended our recognition breakfast to celebrate their child. James Rulan, sixth-grade teacher, hosted the ceremony. Shown are: Madeline Rivera (Gr. 1), Finn McLaughlin (Gr. 2), Brandon Rylski (Gr. 2), Sebastian Hernandez (Gr. 3), Nicholas Henninger (Gr. 3), Donna Kodjo (Gr. 4), Sofia Cusanelli (Gr. 5), Isabella Kodjo (Gr. 6), Tyler Mesquita (Gr. 7), and Brooklynn Maher (Gr. 8 ). Also pictured is Gabi Nelson (Gr.3), an April winner who missed the ceremony

The view looking east toward New Haven Harbor changed with the demolition of the Savin Rock Amusement Park in the 1960s. The top photo shows the area that was once Beach Street, and is now part of the walk/bike path that stretches from Bradley Point to Monahan Place. In the foreground is the Savin Rock Conference Center, and jetties constructed in the 1970s are in the background. Below -- Raffaeli’s Restaurant was in the location now a grassy area with a gazebo. In the background are several rides attractions, including the famous roller coaster that took thrill-seekers into the harbor, as well as Peter Franke’s Funhouse.

The West Haven Police Retired Officers Association recently presented a $500 scholarship to Quinnipiac University student Chloe Caprio (center) as her mom Michele looks on. The Association helps students who are going into Criminal Justice or Law Enforcement. Chloe is doing a double major of Pre-Law and Criminal Justice entering her junior year. At left is treasurer Bill Conlan, President Russ Kniehl 2nd right, and Vice-President John Jarvie made the presentation at West Haven Police Department.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, left, presents a proclamation to Forest Elementary School fourth grader Nicholas Gorske declaring Apraxia Awareness Day in West Haven on May 11. Shown with them are, from left, Nicholas’ mother, Anna Gorske; his sister, Aryanna Gorske, 16; and Forest paraprofessional Cynthia Russello, speech pathologist Jennifer Sandberg and Principal Thomas J. Hunt. Nicholas, 10, has childhood apraxia of speech, or CAS, a motor speech disorder that makes it difficult for children to speak. To raise awareness of CAS for the sixth straight year, Nicholas recently emailed Rossi about declaring the special day in West Haven.

WHHS Principal Dana Paredes recently honored the Top 20 students in the Class of 2023 with a breakfast celebration at West River Hall. The ceremony featured speeches from Superintendent Neil Cavallaro, Mayor Nancy Rossi, and Board of Education member Kim Kenny, as well as their favorite teachers Joanie Amato (Math) and Martha Jacobs (World Language). Rankings are in order: Vittoria Favia (Rutgers), Yaju Pradhan (Wesleyan), Ayannah Obas (Yale), Aayah Osman (Wellesley), Jennifer Castellanos (New Haven), Joyce Delgado (SCSU), Morgan Montz (Quinnipiac), Emma Walker (New Haven), Andrew Callahan (URI), Nevaeh Lugo (New Haven), Renad Osman (Princeton), Fernando Osorio (SCSU), Aleshka Aponte (New Haven), Diego Soto (Villanova), Omar Omer (UConn), Batuhan Demir (Quinnipiac), Melissa Meza (Michigan), Leandro Rodrigues (CCSU), Samantha Carrion (Penn State), Diana Garcia Perez (SCSU).

Bailey Middle School’s Interact Club members recently took the name of the club to heart, and ‘Interacted’ with the needy of the school community as well as members of the West Haven Police Department. Members took a trip to the Elm Street Stop & Shop to stock up the shelves at the school, which aid needy families. This excursion was meant to continue helping families during the soon-to-be summer recess. But there was another surprise trip as students placed an order for 15 pizzas to offer lunch to on-duty officers and staff. Funds for the purchases were collected during recent Pajama/Hat Days at the Morgan Lane school. Shown here: students deliver the pizzas to the Sawmill Road police headquarters.

Bailey Middle School’s Interact Club members recently took the name of the club to heart, and ‘Interacted’ with the needy of the school community as well as members of the West Haven Police Department. Members took a trip to the Elm Street Stop & Shop to stock up the shelves at the school, which aid needy families. This excursion was meant to continue helping families during the soon-to-be summer recess. But there was another surprise trip as students placed an order for 15 pizzas to offer lunch to on-duty officers and staff. Funds for the purchases were collected during recent Pajama/Hat Days at the Morgan Lane school. Shown here: after the shopping came the packing.

Bailey Middle School’s Interact Club members recently took the name of the club to heart, and ‘Interacted’ with the needy of the school community as well as members of the West Haven Police Department. Members took a trip to the Elm Street Stop & Shop to stock up the shelves at the school, which aid needy families. This excursion was meant to continue helping families during the soon-to-be summer recess. But there was another surprise trip as students placed an order for 15 pizzas to offer lunch to on-duty officers and staff. Funds for the purchases were collected during recent Pajama/Hat Days at the Morgan Lane school.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, presents a proclamation with City Clerk Patricia C. Horvath, center left, to staff members and residents of West Haven Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation declaring National Nursing Home Week in West Haven on May 15. The nursing and rehab center sponsored activities in observance of the special week, guided by this year’s theme, “Cultivating Kindness,” and invited West Haven residents to visit the center at 310 Terrace Ave., off Campbell Avenue.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi shakes hands with University of New Haven police Officer Michael J. Gallagher after swearing in the new officer at City Hall on May 1. Gallagher, a former East Haven police officer, was accompanied at the ceremony by his parents, UNH police Officer Thomas P. Gallagher and Deborah Gallagher, and his sister, Kelly M. Gallagher. Also attending were UNH Police Chief Adam Brown and Deputy Chief Brett Mahoney, along with Christopher J. Reed, UNH’s executive director of fire, environmental and workplace safety.

The popular Mr. Westie pageant made a triumphal return to West Haven High School before an appreciative crowd in the auditorium. Contestants showed off their talents in a fundraiser for the senior prom and picnic. Aeden Coe was the ultimate winner, but everyone seemed to have fun in the competition.

Aeden Coe celebrates his winning the 2023 Mr. Westie contest. May 12, the WHHS Senior Class hosted Mr. Westie for the first time post-Covid. Mr. Westie is a tradition that started in 1994 to raise funds for the senior prom and senior picnic. Coe bested a large contingent to win the title, which spotlighted the talents of many

The popular Mr. Westie pageant made a triumphal return to West Haven High School before an appreciative crowd in the auditorium. Contestants showed off their talents in a fundraiser for the senior prom and picnic. Aeden Coe was the ultimate winner, but everyone seemed to have fun in the competition.

The popular Mr. Westie pageant made a triumphal return to West Haven High School before an appreciative crowd in the auditorium. Contestants showed off their talents in a fundraiser for the senior prom and picnic. Aeden Coe was the ultimate winner, but everyone seemed to have fun in the competition.

The popular Mr. Westie pageant made a triumphal return to West Haven High School before an appreciative crowd in the auditorium. Contestants showed off their talents in a fundraiser for the senior prom and picnic. Aeden Coe was the ultimate winner, but everyone seemed to have fun in the competition.

Former West Haven Planning & Zoning Commissioner Steven R. Mullins presented his annual “Commissioner Mullins Youth Leadership Award” to two outstanding West Haven High School freshmen. Khalil Kabila is a member of the school’s track team, Class of 2026 Student Council, the Muslim Student Association and the Model United Nations. Each student received a Certificate of Achievement, a booklet of the United States Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation and a gift card to Barnes & Noble. Mullins presents the award every year to two freshmen in the hopes that they will be inspired to continue to be civic minded leaders at the high school and the wider West Haven community.

Former West Haven Planning & Zoning Commissioner Steven R. Mullins presented his annual “Commissioner Mullins Youth Leadership Award” to two outstanding West Haven High School freshmen. Lauren Paulemon is a member of the school’s theatre workshop, debate club and Class of 2026 Student Council. Each student received a Certificate of Achievement, a booklet of the United States Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation and a gift card to Barnes & Noble. Mullins presents the award every year to two freshmen in the hopes that they will be inspired to continue to be civic minded leaders at the high school and the wider West Haven community.

The shop on the grounds of B&B Farms offers an eclectic mix of products and items of interest.

The new Bailey Middle School sports complex offers new state-of-the art courts for basketball and tennis. Students, faculty and staff at the school use them for physical education classes, as well as off-time relaxation. Residents also have access to the courts during the week.

The Connecticut Tang Soo Do (Karate) State Championships were competed in MacKrille School last weekend. Members of the West Haven Academy of Karate Competition Team were well represented when the competition was completed. Winners included (from left to right) Dylan Benegas, Dior Fraser, Andy Guallo,, Shane Clavaton, Aya Elkacimi, and Ahmed Elkacimi, and Grandmaster Charles Ferraro.

Members of the West Haven Cricket Club pose with the championship trophy after winning the 20th annual Philadelphia International Cricket Festival on May 7. Kneeling are, from left, Manesh Prabhu, Azher Ali, Raj Khatri, Abhishek Chitale, Nikhel Thapar, Suriya Rajamani and Rajesh Narayanan. Standing are, from left, Sriram Ramesh, captain Prasanna Ramaswamy, Ranganath Kanna, Gautam Anne and Shreenath Rajagopalan.

Brianna Miller celebrates her walk-off home run with her teammates versus Cheshire.

T.J. Levenduski makes a save versus Berlin. Unfortunately, the Blue Devils were unable to overcome the visitors and ended the season with no wins.